HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-03-12 TOWN OF DANBY
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 12 , 1979
The regular meeting of the Danby Town Board was called to order at
the Danby Town Hall , 1830 Danby Road , Town of Danby , County of
Tompkins and State of New York on March 12 , 1979 , at 8 : 00P . M .
Board members present : Supervisor A . Francis Wright
Councilman Ralph Wilbur
Councilperson Dorothy Roberts
Councilman Robert Snedden
• Justice Milton Todd
Others present : Gordon Roberts , Roy Hornbrook , Robert Goodwin ,
Rick Dobson , Moses Peter , Gould Colman , Edward Roberts , Ida Hulbert ,
Mr . & Mrs . William Hiney , Lloyd French , Van Billings , Betty Morrow ,
Judy Westmiller , Betty Melchin , Jimmie Miller , Edward Slights , and
Ithaca Journal news reporter .
Justice Milton Todd made the motion to correct the minutes of the
February meeting by changing the total of the Highway Fund Warrant
from $ 9 , 752 . 43 to $ 10 , 552 . 43 and then accept the minutes as corr -
ected . The motion was seconded by Councilperson Dorothy Roberts
and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
COMMUNICATIONS :
1 . Agendas of the two January meetings of the Tompkins
County Board of Representatives .
2 . A letter from the Tompkins County Department of Health
to Supervisor Wright concerning the testing of the water
supply in the West Danby Water District .
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR :
Councilperson Dorothy Roberts stated that the condition of the
parking area at the town hall is Very poor . Something should be
done . Supervisor Wright reported that funds have been set aside
to take care of this .
Councilman Robert Snedden introduced the new zoning officer , Van
Billings , and also the assistant zoning officer , George Arsenault , Jr .
Edward Roberts reported on the work being done at the Danby Pond
to get ready for the summer program sponsored by the Danby
community council . There is a possibility that there will be
a concession at the pond . They would like to have a chicken
barbecue as an opening day event and asked if the town would be
willing to sponsor this . They are now advertising for life guards .
The board agreed to consider the possibility of sponsoring the
barbecue .
Mrs . Hulbert reported on the West Danby Ball Park . It has been
rough graded and more work will be done in the spring . She stated
that the matching funds have not been received from the town . The
lease fee was discussed . It was recommended that the highway
committee meet with the West Danby Park Committee to discuss what
further work is needed from the town and what the committee owes
the highway department .
Town Board Meeting Minutes - March 12 , 1979 Page 2
Privilege of the Floor continued :
G ould Colman asked about draperies for the town hall meeting room .
Supervisor Wright reported that Mr . Taylor , who drew up the original
specifications , has moved out of town . Since that time Gwen
Cukierski has been hired to draw up specifications for window -
coverings as the original specifications brought no bids . These
specifications should be ready in about 30 days . There are
revenue sharing funds that have been budgeted for draperies and / or
window coverings . Studies have been made for the use of the town •
h all , but no set rules have been made . Town functions have first
priority .
Moses Peter asked if an office for the zoning officer has been •
established . According to Mr . Peter there should be no zoning
ordinance if there is to be no zoning office . Zoning Officer Van
B illings , said that he will be available at his home by appointment .
No set hours are needed for this office according to the town board .
Mr . Peter stated that he thought we have a problem: of communications
in the Town of Danby and that the minutes of the town board meetings
should be published in the Danby Area News . Also the agenda of the
meeting should be published prior - to the meeting . Supervisor Wright
stated that he will try to get a summary of the town board meeting
minutes to the area news by their deadline .
Rick Dobson stated that he thought the meeting minutes should be
sent to the Danby Area News and also stated that the Planning
Board is not meeting at their regularly scheduled time .
L loyd French a fire commissioner reported that the article in the
Danby Area News referring to a meeting of the commissioners was not
true as to fact and it was not cleared with the commissioners
before printing . He briefly reported on the problem with funds for
a new tanker for West Danby . This matter was discussed by the
board at length .
Robert Goodwin complimented the highway superintendent on the
good condition of Bald Hill Road .
Betty Morrow asked the town ' s support in financing a program that
would provide repair and maintenance to homes of low income families .
This would be done by providing loans at low interest rates and
making tools available . It would be a program similar to the one
run in Ithaca . This matter was discussed at length .
George Arsenault stated that he hopes he can be of assistance to
Mr . Billings in the zoning work and wants to do a good job for
t he Danby people .
J immie Miller reported that the Tompkins County Board of Represent -
atives meetings will be held at night once a month so that more
people will have an opportunity to attend . A full time attorney has
been appointed for the Social Services Department . Many resolutions
have been passed . The board is considering hiring someone to write
grants .
COMMITTEE REPORTS :
H ighway - Councilman Ralph Wilbur stated that the attorney will
be questioned as to deeds for any legal rights - of - way along town
Town Board Meeting Minutes - March 12 , 1979 Page 3
Committee Reports continued :
roads . Some trees need to be cut in order to protect the highway
equipment from low hanging branches . Windows have been broken .
It was suggested that the town board get together and discuss
ideas for new town barns . This matter will be added to the agenda
I/ for the April meeting of the board .
West Danby Water District - All fine .
Insurance . - An insurance claim !has been filed with the carrier . Health
insurance needs to be discussed .
• Refuse collection and Disposal - No report .
Youth - Supervisor thanked Mrs . Hulbert and Edward Roberts for their
good reports . Supervisor Wright moved a resolution to transfer
$ 100 . 00 from A8510 . 4 to A7140 . 4 to make funds available to pay the
lease fee due Mr . Leon Drake for the West Danby Ball Park . The
motion was seconded by Councilman Ralph Wilbur .
RESOLUTION # 5 TRANSFER $ 100 . 00 FROM THE BEAUTIFICATION
FUND A8510 . 4 TO PLAYGROUNDS AND RECREATION
FUND A7140 . 4 TO PAY LEASE FEE TO LEON DRAKE
FOR WEST DANBY BALL PARK .
Roll Call Vote : Wright - aye
Wilbur - aye
Roberts - aye
Snedden - aye
Todd - aye .
Carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Councilman Robert Snedden made the motion that Wayne Rial be appointed
as a member of the Town of Danby Planning Board . The motion was
seconded by Councilman Ralph Wilbur and carried by a vote of five
ayes and no noes .
Fire - The safe at the fire department is being moved to the town
barns .
Cemetaries - All fine .
OLD BUSINESS :
Highway Superintendent - No report .
• Appeals Board Chairman - No report .
Planning Board Chairman - No report .
Zoning Officer - Written report submitted .
NEW BUSINESS :
Councilman Ralph Wilbur made the motion that the amount paid to Gwen
Cukierski for drawing specifications for window coverings for the town
hall meeting room not exceed $ 150 . 00 . The motion was seconded by
Justice Milton Todd and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Town Board Meeting Minutes - March 12 , 1979 Page 4
New Business continued :
Councilman Ralph Wilbur made the motion that the supervisor be
authorized to look into the purchase of a fire proof file type
safe to be used in his home to store town documents . The motion
w as seconded by Councilman Robert Snedden and carried by a vote
of five ayes and no noes .
Mrs . Morrow asked that the Town of Danby request the County Plan -
n ing Commission to write up a grant for low interest rate loans •
for low income families in rural townships . This will not be done
unless the towns request this specifically and she feels this
covers a need in the rural areas . Other rural townships are being •
approached with the same request . After discussion this matter
w as referred to _ committee . for . study . CouncilmanvwiilIc""hair the
committee and choose someone from the board to work with him .
Justice Milton Todd asked that the board consider the appointment
o f Mary Oltz as court clerk to help with the dog cases . After
consideration by the board , Councilman Ralph Wilbur made the motion
that Mary Oltz be named court clerk to help with dog cases only .
If she is needed to act as court clerk for trial , guidlines must
be set up . The motion was seconded by Councilperson Dorothy
Roberts and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
There will be a meeting of the Town Board and Mr . Ryan on March 19th
at 7 : 30 P . M . at the Danby Town Hall .
The materials in the old town vault were discussed . Gould Colman
will be called and asked how to proceed with the restoration of the
materials stored in the vault .
General Fund Warrant #3 in the amount of $ 466 . 66 was approved to be
paid . The motion was made by Justice Milton Todd and seconded by
Councilman Robert Snedden and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
Highway Fund Warrant #3 in the amount of $ 3912 . 01 was approved to
be - paid . The motion was made by Justice Milton Todd and seconded
by Councilman Ralph Wilbur and carried by a vote of five ayes and no noes .
West Danby Water District Warrant #3 in the amount of $ 67 . 73 was
approved to be paid . The motion was made by Justice Milton Todd and
seconded by Councilperson Dorothy Roberts and carried by a vote of
five ayes and no noes .
The motion to approve the Supervisor ' s reports was made by Justice
Milton Todd and seconded by Councilman Robert Snedden and carried
by a vote of four ayes and no noes .
As there was no more business to come before the board , the meeting
was declared adjourned at 10 : 15 P . M .
Respectfully submitted ,
,r-c9 ,�"
Mary O1tz , clerk